GSS EU Science Funding Gateway

Activities should:

• Study the (context specific) mechanisms that underpin the benefits associated with intercropping such as enhanced resource efficiency, disease and pest avoidance and product quality;
• Elucidate the links between above- and below-ground species interactions and how these could be optimised through management;
• Provide evidence on the effects of intercropping on product quality down the value chain;
• Identify, test and demonstrate agronomic practices that promote benefits from intercropping by optimising the interactions between plants, environment and management (G x G x E x M) , including the use of inputs and adapted machinery such as precision tools;
• Explore farmers’ the motivation to adopt intercropping practices and propose solutions to overcome potential barriers;
• Promote the uptake of intercropping through the development of guidelines and wide-spread practical demonstrations taking into account a range of farming systems, pedo-climatic conditions and value chains;
• Identify and test avenues for marketing and processing of more diverse farming outputs across the value chain.

Result of activities should benefit both conventional and organic agriculture. International co-operation is strongly encouraged in particular with countries where intercropping is more widely applied, yet would benefit from further optimisation. Activities must implement the multi-actor approach, thus ensure an adequate involvement of advisors, farmers, other players in the value chain and consumers. Communication and outreach to a wide range of stakeholders is essential. Proposals should specify how they plan to collaborate with other proposals selected under this and other relevant topics. This topic should include the effective contribution of SSH disciplines.